The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is a non-departmental public body and independent regulatory body that is responsible for regulating the financial services industry in the UK. It is also responsible for supervising and regulating the activities of authorised firms that provide investment services to individuals, companies and other authorised firms. The FSA’s primary objectives are to promote the interests of consumers, protect investors and maintain market confidence by ensuring that the financial services industry operates effectively and efficiently. The FSA has a key role in regulating the investment services industry in order to protect clients from fraud and safeguard the integrity of the market. It does this by providing a safe and secure environment for investment services so that clients can trust that they will receive a high standard of service and be protected from fraud and misrepresentation. The FSA is also responsible for regulating the activities of firms that provide investment management services to investment funds and pension funds. The FSA has a key role in regulating the investment management industry in order to protect clients from fraud and safeguard the integrity of the market. It does this by providing a safe and secure environment for investment management services so that clients can trust that they will receive a high standard of service and be protected from fraud and misrepresentation.
What does the FSA regulate?
The FSA regulates the following activities:- Asset management services (including fund managers, alternative investment fund managers and investment consultants);- Investment advice;- Oversight of authorised firms providing investment services such as investment management services, brokerage services and research and information services;- Regulation of authorised insurance intermediaries;- Regulation of authorised credit and lending intermediaries;- Regulation of authorised fiduciary services providers;- Regulation of authorised investment funds.- Regulation of authorised investment trusts;- Regulation of authorised unit trusts;- Regulation of authorised investment funds;- Regulation of authorised investment management services;- Regulation of authorised investment trust management services;- Regulation of authorised pension trust management services;- Regulation of authorised fiduciary services providers;- Regulation of authorised captive insurance companies;- Regulation of authorised investment intermediaries;- Regulation of authorised credit and lending intermediaries;- Regulation of authorised captive insurance companies;- Regulation of authorised fiduciary services providers;- Regulation of authorised investment funds;- Regulation of authorised pension funds;- Regulation of authorised captive insurance companies;- Regulation of authorised investment funds;- Regulation of authorised pension funds;- Regulation of authorised fiduciary services providers;- Regulation of authorised trusts;- Regulation of authorised investment intermediaries;- Regulation of authorised investment funds;- Regulation of authorised pension funds;- Regulation of authorised fiduciary services providers;- Regulation of authorised trusts.
Who is the FSA’s primary audience?
The FSA’s primary audience is investors and other market participants. The FSA also has a public interest remit which means that it also serves the wider public interest. The FSA publishes a wide range of information and guidance including guidance on issues such as equity release, pension transfer advice and the suitability of products. The FSA also publishes information regarding its regulatory activities and the outcomes of its investigations. The FSA also publishes a wide range of information and guidance on its website.
What does the FSA not regulate?
The FSA does not regulate:- Investment intermediaries which are not authorised;- Investment intermediaries that provide investment advice;- Investment intermediaries that provide investment advice on a discretionary basis;- Investment intermediaries that provide investment advice on an ongoing discretionary basis;- Investment intermediaries that provide investment advice as part of a discretionary portfolio management service;- Investment intermediaries that provide research and information services;- Investment intermediaries that provide fund administration services;- Investment intermediaries that provide fund accounting services;- Investment intermediaries that provide fund accounting services;- Investment intermediaries that provide fund accounting services;- Investment intermediaries that provide fund record-keeping services;- Investment intermediaries that provide fund record-keeping services;- Investment intermediaries that provide fund record-keeping services;- Investment 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